Chinese Embassy Visa Section

Visa center is on Wisconsin Ave next to wine shop. KNOW AHEAD OF TIME: Have 4 things before getting in line: 1) copy of passport bio page 2) copy of drivers license or other proof of residence 3) print out of COVA application with clear bar codes and pictures 4) passports. They will keep ALL of this and give you a pink slip to comeback in 3 to 4 days when you will pay the $140 application fee and pick up your visa. If you cannot come back and pick up, can go to building next door and arrange for FedEx for $75. You will also have to pay the application fee ($140) to the service provider so they can pay when they pick up Visa for you.
Smooth process if you get there early and follow directions.

I applied for a tourist visa on a Friday morning, arriving at 10:50 am. There was no wait, and I was done within 5 minutes. Street parking was $5 for 2 hours. The service was fast, efficient, polite, and systematic. Very good.

Great experience with the services. Very easy to find, staff members and security are nice and helpful. For those who felt they were overly strict and inflexible, it's because it's an embassy not your neighborhood bank. The US embassies depending on the location can be 5x more difficult and time-consuming to navigate.

I had an exceptionally positive experience at the embassy. The security guards were incredibly kind and even knew sign language, which was a wonderful surprise! The staff was extremely patient with me, providing clear guidelines, and everything was written down on paper to ensure understanding. This level of service and willingness to assist is not something you find at many embassies. Thank you for your exceptional support!

Summary: Pretty seamless experience obtaining the L tourist visa if you bring all of the required documents and follow instructions

I thought I'd leave a detailed review because other people's reviews really helped me while I was working on my visa application and preparing for the visit to the visa office. I had a pretty straightforward experience getting my L tourist visa. They do not take appointments, so it's first come first serve. I arrived at the visa office at around 11 am on a Tuesday and it wasn't very busy (btw there's cheap street parking right outside the office and on nearby streets). They provide you with a face mask and a number and then you go through a metal detector and sit down to wait your turn. I only waited for about 10 minutes until my number was called, and then I went up to one of the windows (I think there were 4 or 5 open in total). I brought the required documents listed on the website (updated in 2024) - completed COVA application (has to be typed), COVA confirmation page with the QR codes, passport, copy of my passport bio page, copy of my license front and back (or you can bring other proof of residency), and the "where you stay" form. Flight itineraries, hotel bookings, or an invitation from an in-country host are not required anymore. The woman at the desk was very polite and looked through my application pretty quickly. The only question she asked was about my previous trip to China, and she made a copy of the China entry permit that I had in my old passport (which I also brought just in case - definitely do if you have any previous China entry permits or visas). She asked if I had a copy of my birth certificate, which I didn't because it wasn't listed under the required documents, but she said I could email them a copy and if there was a problem they would call me, and if they didn't I could assume everything was fine. She asked if I wanted the express service (which would have been ready for pickup that Thursday for an additional fee of $25) or the regular service, which would be ready on that Friday. I chose the regular service and she gave me a pink slip to bring when I picked up the completed visa. One of the security guards told me to definitely make sure to bring that pink slip, because I wouldn't be able to pick up the visa without it. I came back on Friday at 12:15 and there was no line, so I got my number, went through security, and straight to the cashier's window. She scanned the pink slip and I paid $140 with card for the visa. They gave me the 10 year multiple entry visa with a 90 day limit per trip even though on the COVA application I only reported a trip that I'm planning for this year, so I was really excited about that. The cashier's window closes for lunch from 12:30-1:30 daily, so I barely made it in time. Not sure if the windows for the visa application/other services close for lunch too. All in all, it was a quick and smooth process and the embassy staff were very polite and efficient. The security guards are strict and rightfully so. Some of them were very nice and helpful, but some of them were a little bit blunt with people who were not listening, so just follow instructions (i.e., where to stand if there's a line and which chair to sit down in while you're waiting) and you'll be fine.

The staff is efficient but the process is funny. When you come in, you go through security and the the security officer gives you a number but takes you a specific seat (Even with the number). And every so often, the security officer comes and asks you to move to a different seat, and this process happens regularly during the waiting period. Very annoying.

When you come back to pick up the passport, the same process happens again.

Office hours is 9:30am to 230pm, but they take lunch break without telling you. So you just sit there waiting during lunch. Such a waste of our time.

I wanted to apply for travel certificate for my child and found out that all the information online was outdated. The link of address, the instructions for sending documents, are OUTDATED!!!
We drove to the embassy first and were told the visa section is located on 2201. We arrived 2201 but were told that handing over documents in person was not accepted any more. Since the embassy has made changes, they have the obligation to announce people. I asked one day off work and drove 1 hour there, and what I got was a total waste of time and patience.
How hard is it to delete some lines of outdated information in your system?
I would give zero to their work. This is the bureaucratic style of some Chinese officials, you can get a real touch of it!

There is easy parking garage on 2201 Wisconsin Ave NW. The street is very narrow & easy to miss so pay attention. The Chinese staff was good, they did their job. Took about 1 hour wait. Charged $185 for visa 5 days processing. Giving 3 stars because the American security staff can be a little unprofessional so be patient with them. Book and appointment & bring your documents in person. A smile & a good attitude goes a long way!